Why Play the Catalan Opening?
If you're looking for an opening that combines strategic depth with long-term pressure, the Catalan Opening is a top-tier choice. Its favored by world champions like Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen for good reason: the Catalan blends solid positional play with dynamic potential.
By fianchettoing the king's bishop and exerting long-range pressure on the center, White builds a solid yet flexible structure. This opening is ideal for players who prefer a quiet buildup that leads to deep middlegame plans, rather than immediate tactical fireworks.
Whether you're an ambitious club player or a seasoned tournament competitor, the Catalan gives you a strong foundation with plenty of room to outplay your opponent in a positional battle.
Csonka Balįzs, a 28-year-old Hungarian International Master, has achieved two grandmaster norms and a peak rating of 2500. A dominant force in his youth, he won 18 Hungarian youth championships and earned two gold and three bronze medals in European youth competitions. Renowned for his deep opening knowledge and strong positional play, he is currently pursuing his final grandmaster norm while also working as a licensed FIDE trainer. In 2024, he served as the captain of Hungary's third women's team at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. His students have secured podium finishes at both national and international youth championships.
Beyond chess, Balįzs holds degrees in International Relations and International Economy and Business from the University of Szeged, where he resides. He has since transitioned into a career in finance. Known for his balanced approach to life, the owner of Thinkers Publishing affectionately calls him "The Family Man."
